SUMMER PLUMBING CHECKLIST

A little extra sunshine is always welcome after the winter months in Australia. For most of us, summer means barbecues, frequent trips to the beach, lots of get-togethers and visiting relatives.

However, all of these things also mean higher foot traffic through our homes, more post-beach showers, more people using the toilet, and generally more pressure on our home’s plumbing and utilities. Common summer plumbing problems include blocked drains, leaky pipes, higher water bills, low water pressure and other issues.

None of us likes dealing with plumbing-related problems, so the best way to combat this extra strain on our plumbing network during the summer months is to adopt a preventative approach.

Here’s a checklist of some basic summer plumbing tips to keep your pipes, drains, taps and toilets in tip-top condition.

#1 – Check for leaks

Inspect anything inside or outside your house that uses water. This includes:

• Faucets
• Pipes under the sink
• Showerheads
• Spigots
• Sprinklers
• Pool piping
• Hot water heater (run your hands around it and underneath the base to see if you can feel any moisture)
• Bathtub (check the seals and grout around the tiles to ensure there’s nowhere for the water to leak through)
• Toilet (check the wax seal at the base of your toilet to ensure no water is seeping through onto the floor)

It helps to have a towel or tissues with you during this process, to detect any moisture easier. Any signs of rust, corrosion or otherwise damaged components can also indicate a leak, or at least suggest that a leak is imminent. If this is the case, you may need to replace these parts before they start to cause problems.

#2 – Check your sprinkler system

Needless to say, sprinklers get much more of a workout in summer. This leads to broken or faulty sprinkler heads due to the build-up of dirt or general wear and tear. Damaged sprinkler heads often cause huge water wastage because we usually can’t see the leak, so it goes unnoticed.

Check your sprinkler heads to ensure they’re all working properly, and replace any damaged ones (most hardware stores stock sprinkler head replacements for affordable prices).

#3 – Be vigilant about avoiding blockages

With all the extra shower and toilet use (and perhaps more use of the kitchen sink if you like to entertain during the summer months), we’re more likely to experience drain blockage in summer.

If you have young children, be sure to teach them how to use the right amount of toilet paper, as this alone can prevent toilet blockage. Check your shower drain for hair and other build-ups which can be easily removed, as this will gradually cause a more tedious problem if left unattended.

Be sure to give dishes a thorough wipe before washing them in the sink. This prevents small amounts of leftover food from finding its way into the drain and blocking it.

#4 – Remove debris from your gutters

Now that winter has passed, there’s likely to be some leaves and other debris sitting in your roof’s guttering. If left unnoticed, this can cause rainwater to accumulate and spill over into places it doesn’t belong – like the inside of your walls! Thorough guttering clean at the start of summer can save you lots of stress and money down the line.

#5 – Inspect your washing machine at the beginning of summer

Our washing machines tend to get much more of a workout in summer, what with all the extra beach visits, linen for guests and a more active outdoor lifestyle that leads to dirt and sweat. Make sure your washing machine is up to the challenge, by pulling it away from the wall and inspecting all of its components before the washing cycles start getting more frequent.

Look for bulges or cracks in the hoses, or any signs of water, mould and mildew. Anything that looks like cause for concern may need replacing. However, a quick and affordable replacement of parts now could save you from having to purchase a whole new washing machine halfway through summer.

Call licensed plumbing professional

If you suspect there is something wrong with any aspect of your household’s plumbing system, or you simply want full peace of mind that your pipes and drains are in optimal condition before the busy summer season kicks in, it’s worth calling a licensed plumber.

Aside from the fact that a qualified and experienced plumbing professional is much more likely to detect any issues and sufficiently resolve them before they grow into larger issues, you can rest assured that any maintenance will be carried out to industry standards. It also comes fully guaranteed, which provides added peace of mind.

At Simoes Plumbing, we specialise in everything from CCTV blocked drain inspection and downpipe replacements/repairs, to gas fitting, excavation and all your other residential plumbing needs.

Give us a call on 0423 698 884 or email simoesplumbing@bigpond.com to arrange for one of our friendly professionals to conduct a comprehensive pre-summer evaluation of your entire home plumbing system.